Cover Letter
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Why write a Cover Letter?
A cover letter could prove to be a useful additional marketing tool. In this current economic market there are many qualified candidates applying for positions so anything that you can do to differentiate your application is worth it.
What should you say in your cover letter?
State your purpose
A cover letter should explain the reason you are making contact with a prospective employer i.e. are you applying for a particular role or making contact to assess if there is a position which would be relevant to your experience.
Explain your relevance and display your knowledge
You should highlight what you know and like about the organisation you are applying for. Show how your skills and experience can fit in with what you know of the company's culture and aims.
Anticipate further communication
Reiterate your suitability for the role. Tell the reader you look forward to hearing from them although you understand they are busy and you will follow up with a call/email on a set date to make sure they have received your application and discuss their feedback. Thank the reader for taking the time to process your application.
Do
- Customise your cover letter for each application
- Carefully note if you are asked to include any specific details in your cover letter and if so make that information very clear
- Match the criteria in the job advertisement to your skills and experience in your Cover letter.
- Keep the letter concise and to the point, your CV already explains your experience
- Display enthusiasm, your cover letter will accompany your CV and add a personal touch to the application
Don't
- Do not mention your salary in your cover letter unless you have been asked to do so and even then mention a range such as €32k-€38k so that you are not pricing yourself out of the process at the initial stage.
- Don't be tempted to put a lot of information in the cover letter, it is unlikely it will be read especially if you are repeating a lot of information available in your CV
Checklist
- Correct contact name and company name spelt correctly
- Your letter states the exact role you're applying for and where you heard about the role, if it was through a contact at the company say so
- Your personal information is included, up to date and correct
- Cover letter is targeted towards the role you are applying for
- Letter is signed if you are mailing it
- You have kept a copy of the cover letter for future reference
